Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-03-05

PoSsioIe, auu Cry when you can nc
leughY'
Hence may not be able to tell 70
just how man feels who etares deaf
calmly in the face. For maybe I di
not comprehend my situation.
But I was sentenced tc death; tina
I fully comrrehepded when the,
marched me, handcuffed, between tw,
guards, with arms at s'charge," ami
bay onets fixed, back to the prison; ant
instead of my former 12x12 cell, barret
and bolted me in an underground, dark
dank dungeon, 3x10 feet, with a tut
occupying two feet Of That sparse space
significantly suggestive that I was Il
stay right there until the day and thu
hour.
The sentence was fully realized dur
ing the sunless days and no darker
nights of the weeks that followed.
The post chaplain's was the only
voice heard for weeks, and his only
once, for my lsvity shocked him SO thai
he gave me up for an irredeemable rep
rebate. He offered prayer for me
however, I courteously kneeling with
him ON the same stone floor. But hi
never came again.
He told me-what my occasionally
allowed letters from my friends had tot
plainly informed me-that there was nc
hope Of escape from the fate that seemed
to them and the outside world to be star.
ing me in the facs. Every possible
effort had been made; every available
influence pressed into service with the
and he had positively declined
with the judgment Of the
court-martial. The worthy chaplain
corroborated their sad information. Said
he:
Captain, you should prepare for
death, for your life ends in few days"
Finally it came. Shall I ever forget
that November morning in 1868?
They told me I should be taken out
at 9 o'clock in the morning, would be
allowed an officers room in the barracks,
where my parents, sisters and brothers
would meet me and spend my last few
hours with me.
When taken out, they had to seat me
in the outer guard room quarter Of an
hour, until my eyes became accustomed
TO the piercing glare Of sunshine.
Then they took me to the room where
found father, mother, sisters, brothers
and minister. It was the quarters of
an officer of the post, and very COM
'ortably furnished.
Just outside we could see them
through the window-stood special
letail of twelve men, selected as the un-
willing executors of the sentenced man.
Telling me I should have until the
asst minute before 3 o'clock, but would
hen have to 60, the colonel locked the
loor and left me with my friends.
They had secured the privilege of
spending these last few hours with me-
knew to comfort and console, perhaps
10 strengthen me for the fearful ordeal
through which I had to pass. But I had
TO comfort and console them.
My father was broken down. It must
be horrid strain on fathers feelings
20 sit and look at his son, in the prime
If manhood, and count off the few in
;ervening minutes Of that boys remain
ng life.
Brothers and sisters could only gaze
At me in speechless misery, appalled, by
he gloomy shadow Of death that was
hen casting about me.
I had to become CONSIDER, and strained
every nerve, called forth every power to
smile. I would not permit the trembling
man of God to offer prayer, knowing his
words would fall upon these loving ears
as death walls, as clods falling on my
coffin. I drew them by everything I
could think of to contemplate anything
but my impending doom.
As I would about succeed the little
clock on the mantel would strike, or q
tootstep on the stair outside, or some
of the garrison would recall
them with sigh to the horrid PRESENT.
The little clock on the mantel seemed
to me in these intervals to tick loudly us
The clatter OF mill.
It struck the half hours as well as the
tull stroke; and it seemed to me it's little
whir would buzz and the tiny hammer
strike every five minutes. Ten! 1890!
IL! 11:30! 12I 1890! /!
Heavens! How it licked of the seconds,
galloped the seconds, and startled our
panied ears with those feeting half hoursl
We were seated around the room, close
TO each other as we could get. Father
on one side. mother on the other Of me,
3 hand clasped by each, as the little mont
tor on the mantel broke the gathering
stiffness with its metal voice, crying the
hslf-hour gone. just then step sound
ID without, hand touched the knob, the